Living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Personal Story of the Struggle for Recovery [Paperback]

Kenny (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 9, 1994

When it first came to public attention in the mid-1980s, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) was derisively nick-named "the yuppie flu". This largely misunderstood disease is actually a serious immune system disorder. Now Timothy Kenny boldly recounts his own battle with CFS--from his career in TV news to eventually becoming homebound.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (commonly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome--CFS) is a little understood disorder that destroys the health of thousands every year. In his first book, Kenny, addicted to an adrenalin-charged life in television when he contracts CFS, chronicles his struggle with the disease. Perhaps because CFS tends to undermine one's ability to communicate clearly, Kenny's book is both a chronological mess and is marred by hackneyed writing ("despite this fantasy come true, I sensed I was living on borrowed time"). A meandering account of his climb up the ladder of success is followed by descriptions of CFS, its treatment, several autobiographical short stories and an epilogue written by his wife. In this muddle, it is clear that Kenny hopes that his shared insights will give CFS sufferers (and those who care for them) a better understanding of the disease, and of "what must take place in the months and years after a serious illness changes one's life." But readers may have to take Kenny's science with a grain of salt; witness his contention that "incredibly, as many as 15% of CFS patients see their fingerprints fade away," a claim that cries out for further explanation. Kenny's work poignantly conveys how much CFS sufferers lose of their selves, but better-documented resources on CFS are available.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Broadcast journalist Kenny has written a firsthand account of his personal struggles with chronic fatigue syndrome, from the exhaustive and exhausting search to identify his ailment to the frustrating encounters with skeptical individuals and institutions in the healthcare and insurance industries, as well as with friends and colleagues. He recounts in painful detail the experiences, both physical and emotional, that living with this chronic illness entails and the experimental programs that hold out the promise of alleviating a disorder that is still not accepted as such by many lay, and some medical, people. Recommended for both lay readers and specialists.
Anne C. Tomlin, Auburn Memorial Hosp. Lib., N.Y.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 226 pages
• Publisher: Thunder's Mouth Press; 1st edition (March 9, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560250755
• ISBN-13: 978-1560250753
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,344,571 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Encouraging and Enlightening Story, August 23, 1998

By 

Turnaround365 "http://turnaround365.blogspot.com" (CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Personal Story of the Struggle for Recovery (Paperback)

In this age of MTV flashframes and six o'clock soundbites it becomes easy for people to make their evaluations and descions on any topic in an instant. This book gives this hard to define topic the attention it deserves. Rather than just telling you textbook definitions, it SHOWS you exactly what chronic fatigue is, and how it crushed the life of a very active television producer. Encouraging, though honest and frustrating, it enlightens those without the disease, and gives those who suffer from it a commonality to draw strength from. There's also an afterward by his wife, on how it has affected her, a message to those (like me) who have to watch someone they love gradually falling victim.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A God-Send for those who SUFFER from CFIDS, July 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Personal Story of the Struggle for Recovery (Paperback)

Beautifully written, well organized, poignant account of the absolute pain and destruction a still misunderstood disease can cause. Although this book was disturbing in that the author is on the extreme end of CFIDS, in terms of the severity of his illness, his story is the story of EVERYONE who suffers from this insidious disease. One can not help but find comfort in the simple fact that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Buy this book if you have been diagnosed with CFIDS or if you are close to someone who has- you won't regret it!